Anthony Horowitz continues to dazzle and perplex with Moonflower Murders, the second book in the Susan Ryeland series, following the critically acclaimed Magpie Murders (2016). With the 2025 release of Marble Hall Murders, the series has solidified its place in the pantheon of modern mystery fiction that pays homage to the classics while cleverly subverting their conventions.
In this installment, Horowitz once again blends the worlds of fiction and reality with remarkable precision, crafting a complex, cerebral thriller that challenges the reader to solve a crime embedded within another crime—one real, one fictional, both equally deadly.
Synopsis: When Clues Are Hidden Between the Lines
Susan Ryeland has traded in her editing career in London for a quieter life in Crete, where she runs a boutique hotel with her partner Andreas. But tranquility proves elusive when the Trehernes, an English couple, arrive with an urgent request. Their daughter Cecily has vanished shortly after claiming that a fictional mystery novel—Atticus Pünd Takes the Case by the late Alan Conway—proves that an innocent man was jailed for a murder at their hotel eight years ago.
The victim, Frank Parris, was killed at the very hotel where Cecily was married. Susan, who once edited Conway’s work, must return to Suffolk and untangle the connections between fiction and fact before Cecily’s disappearance becomes another unsolved tragedy.
Dual Timelines, Double the Intrigue
Horowitz structures the novel with a split narrative:
- The primary plotline follows Susan’s real-world investigation, as she interviews staff, guests, and family members connected to the murder at Branlow Hall.
- The secondary narrative is the full text of Atticus Pünd Takes the Case, a vintage-style mystery that mirrors and obliquely comments on the real-life crime.
This narrative layering is not merely a gimmick; it forms the beating heart of the novel. Horowitz expects the reader to toggle between these stories, interpreting one through the lens of the other. It’s an exhilarating and sometimes exhausting reading experience, requiring close attention and literary curiosity.
Strengths: Horowitz at His Most Inventive
There is no doubt that Horowitz is having a great deal of intellectual fun with this novel—and so, too, will most readers. Some standout elements include:
- An elegantly plotted literary maze: Every chapter, every character, every clue is meticulously placed to form a narrative puzzle box.
- Atticus Pünd’s case: A delightfully nostalgic homage to the Golden Age of detective fiction, filled with garden parties, poisoned teas, and stiff upper lips.
- Susan’s investigative lens: Her dry wit, editorial insight, and reluctant sleuthing bring a grounded, modern contrast to the stylized world of Pünd.
- The exploration of justice and storytelling: Horowitz invites readers to ask who controls narratives—and how fiction can reveal more truth than fact.
Susan’s commentary on Conway’s prose often doubles as Horowitz’s critique of the genre itself. There is a sly meta-awareness running throughout, turning this murder mystery into a commentary on murder mysteries.
Weaknesses: Ambition vs. Execution
While Moonflower Murders is intellectually rewarding, it occasionally stumbles under the weight of its ambition.
- Overcomplication: With two detailed storylines and a large cast of suspects, the plot can feel tangled. Some readers may find themselves flipping back to earlier chapters just to keep names and timelines straight.
- Pacing dips: Particularly in the first half of the real-world investigation, the narrative tempo slows as Susan rehashes details with each new character.
- The inner novel’s dominance: Atticus Pünd Takes the Case spans over 100 pages and risks overshadowing the main plot. While delightful, it can momentarily distract from the urgency of Cecily’s disappearance.
Yet, even with these minor detractions, Horowitz maintains a high level of narrative control, bringing both storylines to a satisfying and cohesive conclusion.
Characters: Layers Within Layers
What makes the Susan Ryeland series work so well is its characters—complex, flawed, and intricately connected to the central mystery. In Moonflower Murders, we see:
- Susan Ryeland: A reluctant heroine, she is observant, skeptical, and increasingly weary of being drawn into other people’s tragedies. Her evolution since Magpie Murders adds emotional depth.
- Cecily Treherne: Though mostly absent from the page, her voice lingers through journal entries, memories, and suspicion. She becomes a puzzle in her own right.
- Alan Conway: The posthumous author remains a ghostly force, his words and intentions influencing events from beyond the grave.
- Atticus Pünd: Calm, analytical, and vaguely melancholic, Pünd continues to serve as a moral compass and intellectual anchor in Conway’s fictional world.
The supporting cast—from hotel staff to estranged family members—are drawn with enough detail to keep readers guessing about their motives, while still echoing archetypes from classic detective tales.
From Magpie to Moonflower: Series Context
Readers who began with Magpie Murders will find Moonflower Murders both familiar and more sophisticated. Where the first book leaned heavily into parody and homage, the second feels more self-assured in tone.
The Series in Order:
- Magpie Murders (2016): A genre-defying introduction that plays with structure and reader expectations.
- Moonflower Murders (2020): A deeper, darker, more intricate sequel.
- Marble Hall Murders (2025): Released just recently, it promises to bring further evolution to Susan Ryeland’s journey.
Each book can technically be read on its own, but the narrative and emotional payoffs are richer when consumed in order.
Themes and Literary Commentary
Horowitz is not merely writing mysteries—he’s interrogating the very idea of mystery writing. In Moonflower Murders, several themes emerge:
- The power of fiction to reflect and distort truth.
- The nature of justice in a world where stories are curated.
- The fallibility of memory and perspective.
- Prejudice and bias, particularly in how Stefan Codrescu’s background made him an easy scapegoat.
The novel insists that meaning isn’t fixed. What’s written on the page—and between the lines—can have different interpretations based on the reader, the context, and the author’s intent.
If You Enjoyed This, You Might Like:
- The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield – for a gothic, dual-narrative mystery
- Case Histories by Kate Atkinson – for another postmodern take on the detective genre
- Death and the Pleasant Voices by Mary Fitt – for an old-school country house mystery feel
Horowitz’s own Hawthorne and Horowitz series, starting with The Word Is Murder, also uses metafiction but with more humor and real-world flair.
Final Thoughts
Moonflower Murders is a smart, intricately plotted novel that rewards patient and perceptive readers. While not as accessible as traditional thrillers, it more than compensates with its layered storytelling, complex themes, and narrative innovation.
It is a book that demands engagement—and rewards it richly. Readers who enjoy crosswords, code-breaking, and literary archaeology will feel right at home here. A dazzling feat of storytelling that may slightly overreach but still delivers a rewarding reading experience.
Best For:
- Mystery lovers who enjoy classic and contemporary blends
- Readers who love metafiction and complex narratives
- Fans of literary puzzles and slow-burn mysteries
